Sunday News, October 28

Remsen Man Killed in Skid Loader Accident

(Remsen) -- A skid loader accident on Saturday cost the life of a Remsen man. 19 year old Alex Renken was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation of the accident shows Renken was assisting Andrew Vaske, who was operating the skid loader. The two were putting fence posts into the ground. Renken was holding the posts while Vaske would push the posts into the ground with the skid loader. Vaske had put dirt into the bucket for added weight in pushing the posts. As Renken was holding a post, the skid loader began to tip forward, the weight in the bucket causing the skid loader to tip all the way forward. The skid loader bucket struck and pinned Renken. Renken's body was transported to Floyd Valley Hospital for examination. The investigation was conducted by the Plymouth County Sheriff's office. Assisting at the scene were the Remsen Fire Department, Remsen Ambulance, Mercy Air Care, and the Plymouth County Medical Examiner.